Cruel Country [Red & White Vinyl]

Wilco – Cruel Country [Red & White Vinyl]

Cruel CountryWilcos universally-acclaimed 12th studio album will be available for the first time on vinyl and in a standard retail CD format via dBpm Records on January 20th. The double-disc packages are comprised of 21 Country Music inspired tracks, recorded at the bands Chicago studioThe Loft.

Originally released in May 2022 (digital only) and in a limited pre-release CD edition for the June RSD drop, lead tracks Falling Apart (Right Now) and Tired Of Taking It Out On You have already become staples on non-commercial, public and AAA radio. Cruel Country songs and graphics have been featured throughout the bands June European tour and August/September/October North American tour.

Bandleader Jeff Tweedy has commented a length on the concept and recording process of Cruel Country in numerous podcasts, online interviews and print articles:

There have been elements of Country Music in everything weve ever done. Weve never been particularly comfortable with accepting that definition, the idea that I was making Country Music. But now, having been around the block a few times, were finding it exhilarating to free ourselves within the form, and embrace the simple limitation of calling the music were making Country.

Jon Pareles in The New York Times wrote: Wilco makes an understated magnum opus. Its tone is naturalistic and understated; the album was recorded largely with Wilco playing live in the studio as a six-man band, quietly savoring the chance to make music together after pandemic isolation.

Jon Dolan in Rolling Stone wrote: Their latest is a beautifully rootsy album with a broken sense of patriotic concern. ****

Tagged in multiple publications mid-summer Best of Albums of 2022 (so far) Lists including Variety, Rolling Stone, Spin, Uproxx and Paste.